Media Advisory Grindr for Equality Demonstrates Strength in Numbers to Make a Difference in 2013

Media Advisory   Grindr for Equality Demonstrates Strength in Numbers to Make a Difference in 2013   From Marriage Equality to Preventing Anti-Gay Legislation, 370,000+ Worldwide Grindr Users Unite to Take Action Across 44 Campaigns   November 19, 2013

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Grindr for Equality achieved tremendous strides in mobilizing 7+ million Grindr users across the globe to drive equality forward in 2013. This year, Grindr for Equality participated in 44 initiatives by leveraging the Grindr app to geo-target and send out in-app messages to users and encourage them to participate in the most significant events currently affecting the GLBT community. Grindr for Equality delivered significant, tangible results with more than 370,000 users so far, who have tapped on in-app messages to sign a petition, donate money or participate in a specific call to action this year.   With marriage equality being a top issue in 2013, a majority of Grindr for Equality campaigns focused on that issue both domestically and internationally. With the ability to reach millions of users and geo-target the messages, Grindr for Equality informed users about upcoming marriage equality initiative occurring in the users’ state or country.   “2013 has been a historic year for our community and marriage equality,” said Joel Simkhai, Founder and CEO of Grindr. “As of November, it is legal for same-sex couples to marry in fourteen states across America and that number keeps growing. Grindr for Equality is doing our part to get the message out to users, but they are really the ones making the difference. They’re taking action, they’re making calls, giving donations, signing petitions, and creating noise. I’m really proud of our users and will continue to use our platform to move the needle forward in 2014.”   Highlights of notable marriage equality initiatives that Grindr for Equality took part in this year, and the corresponding results include:   Domestic:

• Illinois: on four separate occasions, Grindr for Equality encouraged users to call their Senator and state Representative to pass marriage equality legislation. As a result, Illinois passed a marriage equality bill which will be signed by the Governor in November.
• Hawaii: encouraged users to call their Senator and state Representative to pass legislation and as a result, marriage equality was passed in November.
• New Jersey: encouraged users to call their Senator and state Representative to pass legislation and as a result, marriage equality came to New Jersey as a result of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
• Delaware: encouraged users to sign a petition to get a bill introduced in addition to calling their Representative to pass the bill, as a result marriage equality passed in May.
• Minnesota: encouraged users to call their state Representative to pass marriage equality legislation and as a result, marriage equality went into effect in August 1.
• Rhode Island: encouraged users to call their Senator and state Representative to pass marriage equality legislation and as a result, marriage equality went into effect in August 1.

International:

• Australia: in an effort to get marriage equality to pass in Australia, Grindr for Equality encouraged its users to vote for pro-equality candidates during the latest election.
• Brazil: when legislation was introduced to ban Brazilian authorities to authorize marriages between same-sex couples, Grindr for Equality encouraged users to sign a petition to keep marriage equality. As a result, the legislation was defeated and Brazil’s marriage equality laws remain intact.
• United Kingdom: encouraged users to call their Lord and ask them to support marriage equality and as a result, the UK was the 16^th country to pass marriage equality in July.
• France: encouraged users to sign a petition to show support for marriage equality and as a result, France became the 14^th nation to legalize marriage equality in May.

In addition to marriage equality campaigns, Grindr for Equality focused on creating awareness about anti-gay legislation which would cripple the progress already made for the GBLT community in certain regions. For example, twice this year Grindr for Equality made Russian users aware of anti-gay legislation which would ban “gay propaganda.” As a result, approximately 100,000 users signed a petition to eradicate these ludicrous laws. Although the legislation has passed, Grindr for Equality continues to fight for GLBT issues in Russia. Notwithstanding, Grindr for Equality helped to raise more than $107,000 to stop anti-gay legislation in Singapore.   During 2013, Grindr for Equality also provided users with information on how to donate to specific GLBT issues, including HIV/AIDS research, adoption for gay couples and a Kickstarter campaign for a film about GLBT violence in Jamaica. One of the most successful donation campaigns Grindr for Equality initiated this year was with ORAM International, the leading advocate for refugees fleeing persecution due to sexual orientation or gender identity. When Grindr for Equality made its users aware of the campaign, the organization saw a 7,000 percent increase in weekly donations to help build GLBT runaway safe houses worldwide. The initiative with ORAM was so successful, in November, Grindr for Equality has plans to continue creating awareness to its users worldwide.   Other initiatives include protesting anti-gay violence in South Africa, unbanning Grindr in Turkey, and creating awareness about International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia events. In order to continue their crusade for GLBT rights, Grindr for Equality is continuing to search for on-the-ground activists around the world to send regular updates on gay rights in their area. In fact, Grindr for Equality has several campaigns scheduled throughout the end of the year, including a push to remind users to get tested and know their status for World AIDS Day in December. Grindr for Equality is requesting ongoing submissions and information pertaining to the GLBT community where users live. Individuals and like-minded groups are encouraged to send an email with basic contact information and a brief description of how the issue relates to the GLBT community and how Grindr for Equality could provide assistance. Submissions can be sent via email to equality@grindr.com or visit www.grindr4equality.com for additional information.     About Grindr for Equality Grindr for Equality was established by Grindr to raise awareness for LGBT issues and spur action across the globe.  Launched in 2009, Grindr is the premier all-male geo-social network that uses location-based technologies to bring together a global community of more than 7 million users in 192 countries.  Leveraging its geo-targeting software and massive global user base, Grindr has the capacity to provide assistance within the LGBT community and harness the power of its location-based network to contact people in specific geographic areas en masse.   Grindr for Equality is requesting ongoing submissions and information pertaining to the LGBT community where users live. Individuals and like-minded groups are encouraged to send an email with basic contact information and a brief description of how the issue relates to the LGBT community and how Grindr for Equality could provide assistance. Submissions can be sent via email to equality@grindr.com or visit Grindr4Equality.com for additional information.

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&nbsp; <strong>Media Contacts: </strong>Ray Yeung / Jeffrey Davidson | Brainerd Communicators, Inc. | (212) 986-6667 | <a href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42899.324.1TrB83g..A” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow” data-mce-href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42899.324.1TrB83g..A”>yeung@braincomm.com</a> / <a href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42898.324.1TrB83g..A” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow” data-mce-href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42898.324.1TrB83g..A”>davidson@braincomm.com</a> / <a href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42897.324.1TrB83g..A” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow” data-mce-href=”http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=830.42897.324.1TrB83g..A”>press@grindr.com</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;